Preach the Word: November 30, 2025
Your Story Matters: An Urgent Call to Preach the Word!
This past Sunday, Pastor Michael took us deep into 2 Timothy chapter 4, delivering a powerful sermon that wasn't just about hope, but about getting us ready for ministry and discipleship.
The core message? Your entire life has prepared you for this moment to share the Gospel.
Remember Your Story
Pastor Michael started by asking us to reflect on our personal journeys. From moments in Awana and 'crusty prayer meetings' to our salvation experience, failures, and rescues—all of it brings us to the present. He emphasized that every good, bad, and even boring moment has led us to the end purpose of sharing the Gospel. This is such an encouraging thought: we aren't disqualified; our imperfections actually qualify us to share a Gospel of grace!
The Solemn Charge: Preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:1-2)
Paul's charge to Timothy is incredibly weighty: "I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus... preach the word."
It's a Proclamation, Not Just a Pulpit: The word 'preach' here isn't just about a Sunday sermon; it means to proclaim—to be a herald or a news anchor for the Gospel. It’s sharing Jesus’ story.
In Season and Out of Season: This means we must be ready to share the truth always, whether we feel prepared or not. This work involves:
Correcting: Instructing and showing others the truth.
Rebuking: Speaking up when action is ungodly and saying, "Stop."
Encouraging: Lifting people up with the Word, especially in discouraging times.
Be Faithful with Great Patience
Why the urgency? Pastor Michael highlighted the reality of verses 3-4: the time will come when people won't tolerate sound doctrine and will seek out teachers who scratch their "itch to hear what they want to hear." In a culture saturated with algorithms that feed our preferences, this message is more vital than ever.
The remedy? Great patience and teaching. Even when people are difficult, even when they relapse, we must keep pouring into them because they are still there and in need of the truth.
The Four-Fold Resolve (2 Timothy 4:5)
To combat the selfish nature of the world, Paul gives us four specific instructions:
Exercise Self-Control in Everything: Don't be dominated by your flesh. Be disciplined in every area of your life—how you eat, what you watch, how you drive, and more.
Endure Hardship: Don't run away when things get tough. Endure rejection and slander without letting your heart grow cold.
Do the Work of an Evangelist: Sharing Jesus is part of your new nature. If you lack joy, you might be disobedient to this core calling!
Fulfill Your Ministry: The connotation here is to finish—to keep going until you're done.
Follow Faithful Examples
Paul's final words were a testimony of a life poured out: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." He's saying to Timothy (and to us), "You're next."
Pastor Michael reminded us that we should look towards faithful people, like Paul or his own Pa-Pa who lived a godly life of endurance, and say, "I want to follow them as they follow Christ." Your endurance has consequences for everyone around you. Be a faithful servant whom others can follow!
Let's resolve this week to preach the Word, live with self-control, and fulfill our ministry with great patience! 🙏
